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Patented Aug. "5, I898.

N 0 T T u D N C an N AIR COMPRESSOR. (Application filed .jul 27, 1896.)

3 SheetsSheet I.

(No Model.)

Tu: Noam PETERS co, PHOYO-LITNOq WASHINGTON a. c.

mw m Patented Aug. l6, I898. C. N. BUTTON.

AIR COMPRESSOR. (Application filed July 27, 1896.) (No Model.) 3Sheets--S heet 2.

WITNESSES 1n: NORRIS PETERS co. wowunuu, msumaron. u. c

No. 609,087. Patented Aug. l6, I898. c. N. BUTTON.

AIR COMPRESSOR. (Application filed July 27. 1896.)

3' Sheets-Sheet 3.

No Model.)

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WITNESSES CI'IAUNCEY N. .DUTTON, on NEW YORK, N. Y.

AIR-COMPRESSOR.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters r m No. 609,087, dated August 16,1898.

Application filed July 27,1ses. 1

To etZZ whom it may concern:

Be it known that'I, CHAUNCEY N. DUTTON, of the city, county, and Stateof New York, have invented a certain new and useful Improvement inAir-Oompressors, of which im provement the following is a specification.

The object of my invention is to provide simple, efficient, anddesirable means for effecting the compression of air by the utilizationof the impact of falling water, thereby dispensing with thecompressing-pistons and actuating mechanism heretofore ordinarilyemployed.

The improvement claimed is hereinafter fully set forth.

Various devices have heretofore been proposed and put into practice forthe hydraulic compression of air; but such devices, "so far as myknowledge and information extend, do not have the capacity ofcompressing air fully up to the pressure corresponding with the head ofwater by which they are operated. My invention, on the other hand,provides a direct-acting hydraulic air-compressor in which the pressureof the air may be many times greater than that due to the hydrostatichead of the operating Water.

The general principles of the apparatus are as follows: An automaticvalve mechanism is provided bywhich water is allowed to beintermittently discharged with as nearly as may be the full velocity dueto its head into an air-compression chamber in which it acts by impactto compress a charge of air. The force being delivered as a blow uponthe elastic cushion of air to be compressed, the degree of compressionmay be made as high as desired by suitably proportioning thecompression-chamber and its delivery end to the volume of water employedat each impulse and its velocity.- The air is compressed into a suitablereservoir, confined therein by a check-valve, and means are providedforintermittently drawing the waste water out of the compression-chamberand allowing a new volume of air to enter to becompressed by the nextsucceeding discharge of water.

In the accompanying drawings, Figure 1 is a vertical central sectionthrough an air-compressor, illustrating an application of my invention;Fig. 2, a plan or top view of the same; Fig, 3, a View, partly inlongitudinal sea-9.1 No. 00,651. (No aria) central sectionand partly inelevation and on an enlarged scale, of 'thevalve-casing of saidcompressor; Fig. 4, a longitudinal central section, on afurther-enlarged scale, through the valve-casing; Fig. 5, a transversesection through the compressing-chamber, showingthevalve-casing in endelevation; Fig. 6, a central section through the air-supply chamber;Figs. 7 and 8, transverse sections through the valve-casing at thelines, g y and z .2, respectively, of Fig. 4; Fig 9, a vertical centralsection, on an enlarged scale, through the chamber of the reservoircheckvalve; and Fig. 10, a similar section through the chamber of thereservoir drain-valve.

In the practice of my invention I provide a conical compressing chamberor tube 1, which is reduced in diameter, preferably by beingcontinuously inwardly inclined or curved in longitudinal section fromits receiving to its delivery end and is secured to a suitable frame orbed plate 2 at as low a level as practicable inorder to utilize the fulleffect of the head of wate'rby which compression is effected. Thereceiving end of the compressing-chamber 1 is connected to a verticalsupply-tube 3, which receives and delivers to the compressing-chamberabody of water, which passes through it and which is intermittentlysupplied from a higher level by an automatic valvular mechanism, ashereinafter described, so as to fall in successive portions or chargesinto' the compressing chamber and eifect therein by its impact thecompression of air, which enters at the larger receiving end of thecompressingchamber, by forcing the same into the contracted spacetherein at and adjoining its smaller delivery end.

Water is delivered from a high level to the supply-pipe 3 through aconduit 4, controlled by a valve 5, and in order to admit of theemployment of a comparatively small pipe 4 for leading the water fromthe head-level to the supply-pipe an'air-chamber 21is connected to thesupply-pipe. By reason of theintermittentaction of the apparatus thisair-chamber, when made of proper dimensions, admits of the reduction indiameter of the pipe at.

The valvular mechanism for effecting the intermittent supply of water tothe compressing-chamber 1 consists of a hollow piston main valve 22 anda differential piston. controlling-valve 23, working in a casing orchamber 24, interposed between and connected at its ends to thesupply-pipe 3 and compressingchamber 1. The main valve 22 is a hollowopen-ended cylinder having on one end a valve-piston 25, which controlsports 28, establishing communication through the central bore of themain valve 22 from the supply pipe 3 to the compressing chamber 1. Theports 28 are formed in the larger end of a conical deflector 40, formedon or fixed to the end of the casing 24 next the compressingchamber 1and projecting axially into the latter, so that water shall be deliveredthereto in an annular body. A piston 26, formed on the opposite end ofthe main valve, cuts ofi communication between the supply-tube 3 and thespace within the casing 24 around the body of the main valve. Anoperatingpiston 27 of larger diameter than the end pistons 25 and 26 isformed on the body of the main valve, and all three pistons are providedwith suitable packing.

The body of the controlling-valve 23'is hollow or tubular and open atone end, which is constantly in communication with a discharge-port 41in the casing 24. A piston 31 is formed on the body of thecontrolling-valve at and adjoining its open end, and two pistons 33 and34 of equal diameter, which is greater than that of the piston 31, arealso formed upon the controlling-Valve, the piston 33 being located atits inner end or that farthest from the piston 31 and the piston 34being at a distance from the piston 33 about equal to or slightlygreater than the width of a supply-port 30,leading from thecontrolling-Valve compartment of the chamber 24 to the mainvalvecompartment of said chamber on the right-hand side of theoperating-piston 27. Said compartments are also connected by asupply-port 29 on the left-hand side of the piston 27 Elastic buffers orcushion-plates 42 43 are fixed upon the ends of the controllingvalve toprevent shock at the limits of its traverse.

The controlling-valve 23 is moved in one direction-that is to say, tothe rightby Water admitted from the supply-pipe 3 through a branch pipe35, which opens by a port 36 t0 the controlling-valve chamber betweenthe pistons 31 and 34. The pressure of the water upon said pistons actsto move the valve in the direction of the larger piston 34, or to theright, and the motion is slow because of the small difference in areasof the pistons 31 and 34 and also because of the restricted discharge ofback water from behind the piston 33.

The movement of the controlling-valve in the opposite direction iseffected by a portion of the water from the compressing chamber, whichenters the controlling-valve compartment through a port 47, controlledbya checkvalve 48, which is normally closed by a spring 49. In order toregulate the speed at which water is admitted to the right-hand side ofthe controlling-valve, and thereby to control the period during whichthe ports 28 shall be open by being uncovered by the main valve, so thatwater shall not be wasted by being admitted to the compressing-ohamberafter the compressing operation has been effected, the area of openingof the port 47 is made'variable by means of a regulating device, consisting in this instance of a ring 50, having an opening on its sideadjacent to the port 47 and which is angularly adjustable to increase ordecrease the delivery area of the port 47 by a worm 51, rotatable in abearing in the chamber 24 above the ring 50 and engaging a worm-gear 52,cut on the periphery of said ring, to rotate it and regulate the openingof the port 47.

Air is admitted to the compressing-chamber through an independentair-supply port or passage 44, formed in the cap of an air-supplychamber 45, fixed on the upper side of the compressing-chamber andcommunicating by open ports therewith. The air-supply port is controlledby an outwardly-opening check-valve 46, working in' the chamber 45. Thevalve 46 is closed by the pressure within the compressing-chamber duringeach com pressing operation and opens by its own gravity thereafter forthe admission of air for the next succeeding compressing operation.

The smaller or delivery end of the compressing-chamber 1 is controlledby an outwardlyopening reservoir check-valve 9, which is seated aftereach compressing operation by the pressure on the outer side of thevalve. The reservoir check-valve 9 governs communication between thecompressing-chamber and a chamber or casipg 11, which is connected by apassage 12 with a reservoir 13, which is made of proper strength tosafely resist the maximum pressure to which air is to be compressed bythe apparatus, and is provided with a suitable stop-valve 15,controlling a delivery-pipe 16, through which compressed air is led fromthe reservoir to the desired point of use. The reservoir is supported ona frame or stand 14, which may be formed on or fixed to the bed-plate 2or be separately secured to a suitable foundation. The bodies of waterby which the compres sion of air in the compressing-chamber 1 iseffected escape successively therefrom after delivering their energy tothe air therein through a dischargepassage 17, formed at the lowestpoint of the compressing-chamber and controlled by an inwardly-openingdis charge-valve 53 which is normally held oif its seat by a spring 54and is closed by the pressure within the compressing chamber during eachcompressing operation and opened for the discharge of water thereafterby the spring 54, which is adjustable, so as to hold the valve 53 offits seat against a less or greater pressure for a longer or shorter timeuntil such pressures obtain or are generated in the compressing-chamberas consistent with the water, acquiring as nearly as possible thevelocity due to the available'head,

IIO

so as to realize commercially in compressed air as much as possible ofits work. Were both the valves 53 and 46 to close before the fullvelocity is acquired the machine would give a low efficiency. Theefficiency and also the degree of compression, which can be economicallyobtained, depend largely upon correct porportioningof thecompressing-chamber 1 and check-valved passage leading therefrom to thereservoir 13. The best form is that shown, in which thecompressing-chamber tapers nearly uniformly from its receiving end toits outlet or connection with the reservoir, the shape being such thatthe work is done as uniformly as may be and the capacity such that thelast of the work or living force of the mass of moving water is absorbedby the compressed air just as it is completely forced out of thecompressing-chamber and the water touches the check-valve. In any otherform of compressing-chamber there would be a large percentage of slip,equivalent to clearance in a mechanical compressor, and a reducedefficiency, due to the fact that the water would recoil before all theair was forced into the reservoir. It will be observed that theair-compressing chamber is horizontal, ornearly so. In all otherhydraulic or hydrostatic aircompressing devices with which I amfamiliarthe compressing-chambers have been made vertical, with the object offunctioning by the flat upper surface of the water while compressingair. It is obvious that in vertical air-compressors the work done inlifting the water through the height of the com pressing-chambersrepresents a loss of power. Practical experience in the use of water andair in confined spaces at high velocities demonstrates that the waterwill do its work quite as well from one direction as from another undersuch conditions.

Ali-opening is formed in the wall of the chamber 11 opposite thereservoir checkvalve 9 and is closed by a screw-plug 18,-by the rem ovalof which the valve 9 may be readily removed and replaced for repair orrenewal. Any water which may be entrained with the air into thereservoir-supply-valve chamber 11 is released therefrom by a drainvalve19, closing an opening in the bottom of the chamber and connected to afloat 20, adapted to rise and fall with the level of the water therein.

In all compressors heretofore constructed ithas been extremely difficultto approximate isothermal compression. Nearly all compressors areadiabatic, ornearly so. The deflector 40, which, as before described, isconcentric in the compressing-chamber, has an important function,inaddition to that above described, in abstracting from the air the heatset free in the act of compressing, which it effects by reason of beingalways filled with water, and, moreover, because the outer surface ofthe deflector and the inner surfaceof the com pressin g-chamber are bothin contact with water at every stroke of the machine their temperatureis maintained permanently very nearly equal to the temperature of thewater. 'The thin bodies in which the air is disposed during compressiongreatly facilitate frequent contact between each individ ual particle ofair and the cold walls of the deflector and compressing-chamber, and theabsorption of heat by them from the compressed air thus approximatingmore nearly to isothermal compression than any compressor heretoforedesigned. This function will be further elucidated in an improved formin aseparate application, which will be shortly filed.

In the operation of the apparatus a portion of the water which passesinto the supplytube 3 under the pressure due to its head is admittedthrough the passage 35 and port 36 to the chamber of thecontrolling-valve 23, between the pistons 31 and 34 of said valve, andthe excess of its pressure on the piston 34 above that on the smallerleft-hand-end piston 31 moves the controlling-valve to the right-handlimit of its traverse, thereby admitting water from the port 36 through.the

controllingvalve chamber and the port 30 to the right-hand side of theoperating-piston 27 of the main valve 22 and moving said main valve tothe left-hand limit of its traverse, in which it uncovers the ports 28and admits a body of water through its tubular body and v the ports 28tothe compressing-chamber 1, in which said body of water effects by itsimpact a compression of air admitted through the supply-passage 44, anda portion thereof unseats the valve 48 and passes through the openingcontrolled by said valve. into the right-hand end of thecontrolling-valve chamber, in which it exerts its pressure uponthe fullarea of the right-hand piston 33 of the controlling-valve 23. Thecontrolling-valve is thereby rapidly moved to the left-hand limit of itstraverse, being the positionin which it is shown in Fig. 5, and water isadmitted through the ports 36 and 29 to the left-hand side of theoperating-piston 27 of the main valve 22, moving said piston to theright-hand limit of its traverse and cutting off the supply of water tothe compressingchamber by closing the ports 28. The dischargevalve 53then opens and drains the compressing-chamber, and thecheck-valve 46opens to admit a new charge of air. The water which has effected theprevious stroke of the main valve to the left is exhausted through theports 30, the ports 32, which are formed in the body of thecontrolling-valve between the pistons 33 and '34, the tubular body ofsaid valve, and the discharge-port 4:1.

The bodyof water admitted to the compressing-chamber enters it at nearlythe velocity due to its hydrostatic head, and its VG? locity beingchecked by the air in the compressing-chamber it strikes a blow uponsaid air, delivering its energy by impact, the meas- ICC ure of thecompression being fixed by the taper of the compressing-chamber and thearea of the discharge-opening relatively to the volume of watersupplied,and its velocity, and the volume of air compressed in theairchamber. When the supply-water enters the compressing-chamber, itacts upon the drainvalve 53, controlling the discharge-passage 17, andthe air-valve 46, closing them, so as not to waste water, and aftercompression is effected these valves open and permit the water to drainfrom and a new supply of air to enter the compressing-chamber.

The preliminary movement of the controlling-valve 23 to the right ismade comparatively slowly, as the waste or back water which has effectedits previous stroke to the left can escape only through a restrictedport 38 in the right-hand piston 33 of the valve, the transverse area ofwhich port may be varied by an adjusting-screw 39, having a conical end.The speed at which the controlling-valve travels to the right may thusbe properly regulated, so that the main valve will remain in position tokeep the ports 28 closed sufficiently long to allow all water to "escapefrom the compressing-chamber after having effected a compressingoperation therein. When, however, the' controllingvalve has been movedsufflciently far to the right to close both the main-valve supplyports29 and 30, its right hand piston 33 passes into an enlarged bore 37 inits chamher, and the waste or back water on its righthand side thenescapes freely around the piston 33' and through the ports 32 and thebody of the valve to the discharge-port 41. The controlling-valve thenrapidly completes its right-hand stroke and by opening the port 30 tothe port 36 effects the lefthand traverse of the main valve 22, by whichthe ports 28 are opened, as before described.

It will be obvious that while the only function of the main valve andcontrolling-valve in the application herein described and shown is thatof automatically effecting the alternate opening and closure of theports through which water is admitted to the compressingchamber thereciprocation of the operatingpiston of the main valve may be utilizedfor any other desired purpose in a water-pressure engine or motor. I donot, therefore, herein claim said automatic valvular mechanism in and ofitself, and the same forms the subject matter of a separate applicationfiled by me November 13, 1897, Serial No. 658,439.

I do not, further, desire to limit my present invention to combinationsembodying the specific automatic valvular mechanism herein described andshown for effecting the intermittent supply of water to thecompressingchamber, as various other automatic mechanisms for performingthe same function may be substituted by a mechanic skilled in the artwithout departure from the governing and essential features of myinvention and with out involving any substantial difference of operationfrom that of the combination of essential members which is exemplifiedin the apparatus herein described and shown.

I claim as myinvention and desire to secure by Letters Patent- 1. Thecombination, substantially as set forth, of a compressing-chamber, aconduit adapted to supply water under pressure thereto, a main valvegoverning a supply-port between the conduit and the compressing'chamber,and an automatic controlling-valve, actuated by water supplied from aconduit and controlling the fluid transmission of operating power to themain valve.

2. The combination, substantially as set forth, of acompressing-chamber, a valvecontrolled air-supply port or passageopening thereinto, a reservoir, a check-valve controlling communicationbetween the compressing-chamber and reservoir, a conduit adapted tosupply water under pressure to the compressing-chamber, a main valvegoverning a supply-port between the conduit and the compressing-chamber,and an automatic controlling-valve, actuated by water supplied from aconduit and controlling the fluid transmission of operating power to'themain valve.

3. The combination, substantially as set forth, of a compressingchamber, a dischargepassage therefrom, an air-supply port or passagethereto, a conduit adapted to supply water under pressure to thecompressing-chamber, a main valve governing a supply-port between theconduit and the compressingchamber, and an automatic controlling-valve,actuated by water supplied from a conduit and controlling the fluidtransmission of operating power to the main valve.

4. The combination, substantially as set forth, of acompressing-chamber, an air-supply port or passage opening thereinto, areservoir, a check-valve controlling communication between thecompressing-chamber and reservoir, a discharge-passage for the releaseof water from the compressing-chamber, a drain-valve for the release ofwater from the reservoir, a conduit adapted to supply water underpressure to the compressing-chamber, amain valve governing a supply-portbetween the conduit and the compressing-chamber, and an automaticcontrolling-valve, actuated by water supplied from a conduit andcontrolling the fluid transmission of operating power to the main valve.

5. The combination, substantially as set forth, of acompressing-chamberwhich is reduced in transverse area at and toward itsdeliveryend, an air-supply port or passage opening thereinto, areservoir, a check-valve controlling communication between the deliveryend of the compressing-chamber and the reservoir, a discharge-passagefor the release of water from the compressing-chamber, a conduit adaptedto supply water under pressure to the com pressing-chamber, a main valvegoverning a supply-port between the conduit and the compressing-chamber,and an automatic controlling-valve, actuated by water supplied from aconduit and control-1 ling the fluid transmission of operating power tothe main valve.

6. The combination, substantially as set forth, of acompressing-chamber, an air-supply port or passage opening thereinto, aconduit adapted to supply water under pressure thereto, an air-chamberconnected with said conduit, a reservoir, a check-valve controllingcommunication between the compressing-chamber and reservoir, adischarge-passage for the release of water from the compressing-chamber,a main valve governing a supply-port between the conduit and thecompressing-chamber, and an automatic con trolling-valve, actuated bywater supplied from a conduit and controlling the fluid transmission ofoperating power to the main valve. a

7. The combination, substantially as set forth, of acompressing-chamber, an air-supply port or passage opening thereinto, aconduit through which water may be supplied, under the impact of a fallfrom a height, ,to the compressing-chamber, a main valve governing portsfor the admission of water from the supply-conduit to thecompressing-chamber, an actuating-piston on said main valve, acontrolling-valve governing ports for admitting water from thesupply-conduit alternately to opposite sides of the actuatingpiston, apassage for the admission of water from the supply-conduit to thecontrollingvalve chamber, a passage for the admission of water from thecompressing-chamber to the controlling-valve chamber, a check-valvegoverning said last-named passage, a reservoir, a check-valvecontrolling communication between the compressing-chamber and reservoir,and a discharge-passage for the release of water from the com pressing-chamber.

8. The combination, substantially as set forth, of acompressing-chamber, an air-supply port or passage opening thereinto, aconduit through which water may be supplied, under the impact of a fallfrom a height, to the compressing-chamber,- a valve-casing interposedbetween and connected with the supply-conduit and compressing-chamber,ports opening into the compressing-chamber from said casing, a tubularmain valve fitted to reciprocate in a chamber of the casing and havingend pistons, one governing the compressing-chamber ports and the otherpreventing direct communication between the supplyconduit and thechamber of the main valve, an operating-piston on said main valve, acontrolling-valve having pistons of unequal area, between which water isadmitted from the supply-conduit and to the larger of which water isadmitted from the compressingchamber, ports governed by said valve foradmitting Water from the supply-conduit to opposite sides of theoperating-piston of the main valve, a check-valve governingcommunication between the compressing-chamber and the larger piston ofthe controllingvalve, a reservoir, a check-valve controllingcommunication between the compressingchamber and reservoir, and adischargepassage for the release of water from the compressing-chamber.

9. The combination, substantially as set forth, of a water-supply tube,a compressingchamber, a main valve governing ports for the admission ofwater from the supply-tube to the compressing-chamber, anactuatingpiston on said main valve, a controlling-valve governing portsfor the admission of water to opposite sidesof the actuating-piston, apiston on said controlling-valve, and means for efiecting a limitedexhaust of water through said piston in the preliminary portion ofthetraverse of the controlling-valve in one direction, and a free exhaustaround said piston in the succeeding portion of the same.

10. The combination, substantially as set forth, of a water-supply tube,a compressingchamber, a mainvalve governing ports for the admission ofwater from the supply-tube to the compressing-chamber, anactuatingpiston on said main valve, a tubular controlling-valvegoverning ports for the admission of water to opposite sides of theactuatingpiston, a restricted port for the exhaustof water through anend piston on the controlling-valve, and through the body thereof during its preliminary traverse in one direction, a regulating device forvarying the discharge area of said restricted port, ports in the body ofthe controlling-valve, of sufficient area for the full exhaust of water,and a valve-chamber for the controlling-valve having a space of largerdiameter than the end piston in which the restricted exhaust-port isformed, through which space said end piston traverses during the latterportion of its stroke in one direction.

11. The combination, substantially as set forth, of a water-supply tube,a compressingchamber, a main. valve governing ports for the admission ofwater from the'supply-tube to the compressing-chamber, anactuatingpiston on said main valve, a controlling-valve governing portsfor the admission of water to opposite sides of the actuating-piston,difierential pistons on said controlling-valve, a passage for'admittingwater from the supplytube' to a smaller piston area of the controlling-valve, a check-valved passage for admitting water from thecompressing-chamber to a larger piston area of the controlling-valve,and'an adjusting device for varying the delivery area of saidcheck-valved passage.

12. The combination, substantially as set tently supplying water, underthe impact of a fall from a height, to the compressing-cham- 1o bcr.

CHAUNCEY N. DUTTON.

Witnesses:

LEON S. MOIRSEIFF, D. LINDENTHAL.

